BACTERIAL CONTAMINATION OF MEDICATED GLASSES AMONGST STAFF AND STUDENTS OF MICHAEL OKPARA UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE, UMUDIKE

ABSTRACT

Bacterial contamination of medicated eye glasses worn by members of the University community (Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike) Abia State Nigeria was investigated using culture techniques. Of the one hundred and six samples screened [Handles (n=53), Lenses (n=53)] during the period of the research, ninety-nine (93.40%) were contaminated with bacteria. Escherichia coli(51.89%) was the most prevalent, followed by Staphylococcus aureus (28.30%) and Streptococcus species (16.98%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (13.21%) and Bacillus species (13.21%) were equivalent, and coagulase negative Staphylococcus (9.43%), while Klebsiella species (1.89%) were the least. Sex significantly affected the level of eye glass contamination in the sense that, eye glasses used by male were more contaminated (52.83%) than their female counterparts (26.42%). Workers had more contaminated eye glasses (47.17%) than students (32.08%). Handles were more contaminated (94.34%) than the lenses (92.45%) and this could be due to frequent contact of the handles with human hands, which are mostly contaminated and non-sanitized. The eye glass cleaners or disinfectants were not able to inhibit bacteria isolated from the eye glasses. The antibiotic used where able to inhibit the various bacteria isolated in a similar spectrum.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page                                                                                                                     i

Certification                                                                                                                 ii

Dedication                                                                                                                  iii

Acknowledgement                                                                                                       iv

Table of Contents                                                                                                       v

List of Tables                                                                                                              vii

List of Figure                                                                                                              viii

Abstract                                                                                                                        ix

CHAPTER ONE

1.0       INTRODUCTION                                                                                          1

1.1       Statement of Problem                                                                                     2

1.2       Aim of Study                                                                                                  2

1.3       Objectives                                                                                                       3

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.0       Ubiquity of microorganisms                                                                           4

2.1       Bacterial contamination of door handles/knobs in selected public

Conveniences                                                                                                 4

2.1.1    Fungal contamination of eye lenses and frames of patients                           10

2.2       Bacteria Associated With Medicated Eye Glasses                                         21

2.2.1    Escherichia coli (E. coli)                                                                                22

2.2.2    Klebsiella species                                                                                           23

2.2.3    Staphylococcus aureus                                                                                   23

2.2.4    Streptococcus species                                                                                     24

2.2.5    Bacillus subtilis                                                                                              24

2.2.6    Pseudomonas aeruginosa                                                                               25

2.2.7    Proteus species                                                                                               25

2.3       The Effectiveness of Hand Hygiene in Reducing the Risk of Infections

Which Includes Hand Washing And Alcohol Based Hand Sanitizers.       26

CHAPTER THREE

MATERIALS AND METHODS

3.1       Study Area                                                                                                      28

3.2       Collection of Samples                                                                                    28

3.3       Sample Preparation                                                                                         28

3.4       Culture Techniques/Media Preparation                                                          28

3.5       Characterization and Identification of Organism                                           29

3.5.1    Gram Staining Technique                                                                              29

3.5.2    Biochemical Test                                                                                            29

3.5.2.1 Catalase Test                                                                                                   29

3.5.2.2 Coagulase Test                                                                                               29

3.5.2.3 Citrate Test                                                                                                     30

3.5.2.4 Motility, Indole, Urease Test (MIU)                                                              30

3.5.2.5 Triple Sugar Ion Test                                                                                      31

3.5.2.6 Oxidase Test                                                                                                   31

3.6       Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing                                                                    24

3.7       Antimicrobial Susceptibility Using Different Lens Cleansers                        24

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0       Results                                                                                                            33

CHAPTER FIVE

5.1       Discussion                                                                                                       40

5.2       Conclusion                                                                                                      43

5.3       Recommendation                                                                                           43

REFERENCES

LIST OF TABLES

Table          Title                                                                            Page

2.1:                  Distribution and percentages of positive samples of male and female toilet and bathrooms door handles/knobs         5

2.2:                  Distribution of bacterial contamination on toilets and bathroom door handles/knobs swabbed                                             6

2.3:                 Distribution and percentage bacterial contamination of toilets

and bathroom door handles/knobs in relation to the establishment samples      7

2.4:                  Prevalence and degree of growth of bacteria isolated from

contaminated door handles/knobs                              8

2.5:                  Prevalence of fungal contamination on eye lenses and frames crevices           11

2.6:                  Prevalence of the contamination according to age, sex and occupation      12

2.7:                  Airborne bacteria/contamination of dental surgeries (n=51) during surgery sections                                        18

2.8:                  Surface bacterial contamination of trolleys (n=51) near dental units      18

2.9:                  Total bacterial counts of water samples obtained from dental unit hoses (n=51) and air/ water syringes (n=51)                         19

4.1:                  Biochemical Identification of Isolates and Gram Reaction           34

4.2:                  Prevalence According To Sex                                       35

4.3:                  Degree of Bacterial Contamination on Lenses and Handles and Gram Differentiation                                                         36

4.4:                  Degree of Bacterial Contamination of Lenses and Handles 37

4.5:                  Antibiotic Sensitivity of Bacterial Isolates                        38

4.6:                  Antimicrobial Sensitivity Using Different Lens Cleansers                    39

LIST OF FIGURES

Fig.1:      The occurrence of bacteria on 118 surfaces of sites                                                16

CHAPTER ONE

1.0       INTRODUCTION

Microorganisms are ubiquitous and they form major part of our environment. Some of these microorganisms are friendly in the sense thatthey are used as fermenters in brewery/food industries or forms normal flora of an organism thus helping in normal metabolism of an organism. Furthermore, most of them are our foes or are harmful to the environment because they cause several diseases and spoilage of food.Ultimately, we are unknowingly exposed to germs in our daily activities, whether in the supermarkets, comfort of our homes, banks or even in our offices. Consequently, there are variousitems which are used on regular basis that are rarely sanitized or kept clean and thus this gives rise to likely growth and colonization of these items by microorganisms.

Essentially, glasses, also referred to as eyeglasses/spectacles are frames bearing lenses worn in front of the eyes used for vision correction. Thus, glass handle/frame is the part of a pair of glasses which is designed to hold the lenses in proper position. Glass handles/frames come in a variety of styles, sizes, materials, shapes, and colors.A lens on the other hand is substance made of glass which focuses or defocuses the light that passes through it. It is made up of one or two curved surfaces; shaped and used as an optical instrument (Stern, 1998, Eisenhart, 1985). Nowadays, different individuals use eye glasses/lenses (spectacles) either for beautification/mark of fashion or for enhancing their sight capacity (Nwaugo, et al., 2007). Prevalently, contact lenses (without frames)are more in direct medical purposes as well.Various microorganisms, especially bacterial species have been recorded to colonize these lenses and these include: Pseudomonas species, various species of Staphylococcus, Citrobacter and Aeromonas (Brooks et al., 2001, Sankaridurg et al., 1996).

There are different types of eye infections attributed to Bacteria agents and this is quite concerning, because these bacteria are introduced on the spectacles through contacts with hands and other forms.Based on the extensive literature reviewconducted in the course of this study, it was ascertained that no work has been conducted to isolate bacteria from medicated glasses in Nigeria, but a similar work has been conducted by (Nwaugo, et al., 2007) where they isolated fungi from eye lenses and frames of optometry patients at Abia State University, Uturu Nigeria.

1.1           Statement of Problem

Harmful bacteria have the capacity to grow on unprotected surfaces, including our medicated or sun glasses and transmission of these harmful organisms through constant or regular contact could result to different illnesses which are dependent on the species of contaminative bacteria. This bags the question; When last did you give your medicated or sunglasses a thorough cleaning?Various answers will emanate from this question, because even those individuals who are required to wear their glasses daily forget to clean them and thus; allowing bacteria to grow and colonize the glasses, leading to varying eyes infections.

However, the knowledge that commonly used items/facilities are most likely contaminated does not solve the problem of transmitting germs, but it depicts that these items should be cleaned more often than they currently are at the present.

1.2         Aim of Study

The primary aim of this research work is to examine the bacterial contamination of medicated eyeglasses/ lensesused by staff and students of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.

1.3       Objectives

The objectives are:

·       To isolate and identify bacteria from eyeglasses/ lenses

·       To determine the percentage of medicated glass users that clean their glasses daily

·       To determine the antimicrobial effect of the lenses cleaners used

·       To determine the antibiotic sensitivity pattern of the isolated bacteria

Buyers has the right to create dispute within seven (7) days of purchase for 100% refund request when you experience issue with the file received. 

Dispute can only be created when you receive a corrupt file, a wrong file or irregularities in the table of contents and content of the file you received. 

ProjectShelve.com shall either provide the appropriate file within 48hrs or send refund excluding your bank transaction charges. Term and Conditions are applied.

Buyers are expected to confirm that the material you are paying for is available on our website ProjectShelve.com and you have selected the right material, you have also gone through the preliminary pages and it interests you before payment. DO NOT MAKE BANK PAYMENT IF YOUR TOPIC IS NOT ON THE WEBSITE.

In case of payment for a material not available on ProjectShelve.com, the management of ProjectShelve.com has the right to keep your money until you send a topic that is available on our website within 48 hours.

You cannot change topic after receiving material of the topic you ordered and paid for.